Vocab Top Vocab

Anatomy

Study of body structure.

Physiology

Study of body function.

Metabolism

All chemical reactions in the body.

Water

Required for life processes.

Food

Provides nutrients and energy.

Oxygen

Gas needed for energy release.

Heat

Energy that regulates body reactions.

Pressure

Force needed for breathing and circulation.

Homeostasis

Stable internal environment.

Receptors

Detect changes in the body.

Control center

Processes information and directs response.

Set Point

Normal value for body condition.

Effectors

Muscles/glands that respond.

Negative Feedback

Reverses a change to restore balance.

Positive Feedback

Increases a change away from balance.

Axial

Head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular

Limbs and attachments.

Cranial cavity

Holds the brain.

Vertebral canal

Holds the spinal cord.

Thoracic cavity

Holds heart and lungs.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Holds abdominal and pelvic organs.

Pleural membranes

Around the lungs.

Pericardial membranes

Around the heart.

Peritoneal membranes

Around abdominal organs.

Superior

Above.

Inferior

Below.

Anterior

Front.

Posterior

Back.

Medial

Toward midline.

Lateral

Away from midline.

Bilateral

Paired on both sides.

Proximal

Closer to trunk.

Distal

Farther from trunk.

Superficial

Near surface.

Peripheral

Near the outer boundary.

Deep

Away from surface.

Sagittal

Divides left/right.

Transverse

Divides top/bottom.

Frontal

Divides front/back.